BENGALURU: This year's Science Research Award of the Infosys Science Foundation (ISF) has been awarded to six people, including Professor Mahmood Kooria (36), a Malayalee.

Prof Mahmood Kooria, a native of Perinthalmanna in Malappuram, won the award in the humanities and social science category. He is a professor at the University of Edinburgh. He is the youngest recipient of the award.

The award, comprising a gold medal, a citation and a $100,000 (Rs 84 lakh) award, will be presented at a function to be held in Bengaluru on January 11.

The award was given to six young researchers in the fields of economics, engineering, computer science, humanities, social sciences, life sciences, mathematical sciences and physical sciences. Prof. Arun G. Chandrasekhar (Mathematics), Prof. Shyam Gollakota (Engineering and Computer Science), Siddhesh Kamath (Life Science), Prof. Neena Gupta (Mathematics) and Vedhika Khemani (Physical Science) are the other winners.

Dr Mahmood Kooria is a pioneer in his research on Islamic discourse in the Indian Ocean region. He is a recipient of a National Research Fellowship of Rs 2 crore from the Dutch government. Mahmud's studies on the service of animals such as elephant, horse and donkey in the Malabar rebellion are noteworthy.

He is the son of Kunjimoideen Musliyar and Maimuna. His wife Faiza is a mathematics researcher at the Vellore Institute. They have a son, Murad Mahmud.